JFKC

A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy

Inspired by a handful of enduring ideals championed by JFK—Courage, Freedom, Justice, Service, and Gratitude.

In 1960, John Fitzgerald Kennedy became the youngest person elected President of the United States. As President from 1961–1963, he dealt with international challenges like the Cuban Missile Crisis while encouraging far-sighted American initiatives like space exploration and greater equality for people of color.

President Kennedy was a firm believer in the power of the arts. He knew that art and culture could inspire compassion and unify American citizens, and along with his wife, Jacqueline, fought for legislation and funding to establish a National Cultural Center. Following his death in 1963, it became clear the center should become a living memorial to his memory.

A Year of Celebration and Sharing

May 29, 2017 would have been President Kennedy’s 100th birthday, and The Kennedy Center is celebrating by focusing on the vision he had for the arts, in America and around the world. He believed we all have creative spirits—not just to appreciate art—but to share our unique talents in ways that inspire our communities as well as ourselves.

Waking the Citizen Artist Within

President Kennedy believed in COURAGE, FREEDOM, JUSTICE, SERVICE, and GRATITUDE as core American values—ideals that bring us together and help us build a better society. These ideals are at the center of this yearlong celebration of his life and legacy.

Join us!

To be part of the celebration, consider the role of the arts in today’s society and explore your creative side. Find ways to challenge your imagination and give back to those around you through artistic expression.

Build your quote into a collage—using paper, digital tools, or other media. Surround the words with images and objects you believe represent the theme. You might include pictures cut from old magazines, images downloaded from the Internet, or photographs and objects you create.

Choose a theme related to one of the ideals: COURAGE, FREEDOM, JUSTICE, SERVICE, and GRATITUDE. Find songs related to that theme. Some examples of songs that share and promote President Kennedy’s ideals are:

“Brave” by Sara Bareilles (COURAGE)

“A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke (FREEDOM)

“Blackbird” by The Beatles (JUSTICE)

“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers (SERVICE)

“Thank You” by The Descendents (GRATITUDE)

Create a Spotify playlist of songs on your theme using music styles you enjoy—hip hop, pop, country, rock and roll, R&B, jazz, classical—whatever you love. Share your playlist to the ARTSEDGE Facebook group!

ARTSEDGE, part of the Rubenstein Arts Access Program, is generously funded by David Rubenstein.

Additional support is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

Kennedy Center education and related artistic programming is made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.

The contents of this Web site were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government. Unless otherwise stated, ArtsEdge materials may be copied, modified and otherwise utilized for non-commercial educational purposes provided that ArtsEdge and any authors listed in the materials are credited and provided that you permit others to use them in the same manner.

You are now leaving the ArtsEdge website. Thank you for visiting!

ArtsEdge and The Kennedy Center are in no way responsible for the content of the destination site, its ongoing availability, links to other site or the legality or accuracy of information on the site or its resources.